Personnel Security Subject Matter Expert (SME)

ABOUT NOOKS

Are you seeking an exciting and unique opportunity to grow and support our national security? As a startup, we are offering a limited-time opportunity to be an equity owner in a pioneering new industry. Nooks is pioneering Classified Infrastructure-as-a-Service (CIaaS) to provide government and industry partners with the fastest, most efficient access to classified infrastructure. We are building a nationwide network of accredited classified spaces and systems, ensuring that the best technologies equip our nation’s warfighters. At Nooks, we value innovation, collaboration, and a service-first mindset.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly specialized and seasoned Personnel Security Subject Matter Expert (SME) to manage, lead, and administer all facets of personnel vetting, access, and compliance across the US Space Force classified enterprise. This critical role ensures security eligibility across multiple domains: DoD Collateral, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), and Special Access Programs (SAP).

The SME/Lead will serve as the authoritative resource for the USSF Special Security Office (SSO), providing expert guidance to command personnel, security managers, and employees. This position requires deep, hands-on expertise in all relevant security systems and is dedicated to maintaining full compliance with Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs), Security Executive Agent Directives (SEADs), and DoD directives across all USSF facilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Expert SCI/SAP Access and Clearance Management

• SME for Security Systems: Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for all personnel security information systems, including DISS/NBIS (Defense Information System for Security/National Background Investigation Services), NISS (National Industrial Security System), and the Scattered Castles system for IC access. Act as the primary administrator, troubleshooter, and trainer for these systems across the enterprise.
• Access Vetting and Nomination: Oversee and standardize the nomination process for both SCI access and SAP access (e.g., utilizing systems like JADE, SMIP). Review, process, and QA-check all security clearance documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Clearance and Access Determinations: Utilize expert judgment and regulatory knowledge to provide authoritative recommendations to grant, deny, and revoke SCI access based on security clearance eligibility, established need-to-know, and suitability.
• Processing & Transfers: Manage the end-to-end initiation, tracking, and execution of all security clearance actions, including initial applications, periodic reinvestigations (PR), and the transfer-in/transfer-out of clearances and accesses. Coordinate with government agencies (e.g., DCSA) to resolve complex clearance processing issues.
• Visitor Management: Process and validate Visit Authorization Requests (VARs) across the enterprise, ensuring compliance for personnel requiring entry to USSF classified program spaces and facilities.

2. Continuous Vetting and Incident Reporting

• Continuous Evaluation (CE) Program Management: Actively monitor and manage all aspects of the Continuous Evaluation (CE) Alerts. As the SME, conduct in-depth initial security assessments, coordinate findings with the SSO, and recommend/execute appropriate action, including internal security investigations or recommending suspension/revocation of access.
• Adverse Reporting: Ensure all adverse information, security violations, and potential derogatory information are accurately and compliantly reported to the appropriate government security offices (GSOs) in a timely manner, strictly adhering to all reporting deadlines.
• Compliance with SEAD 4: Serve as the final review authority for Foreign Contact & Foreign Travel (RMT) documentation, ensuring cleared USSF personnel adhere to compliance protocols before, during, and after international travel.

3. Compliance, Training, and Program Administration

• Regulatory Oversight: As the SME, ensure the entire personnel security program is fully compliant with all applicable regulations, including ICDs (e.g., ICD 704), SEADs (e.g., SEAD 4), NISPOM (32 CFR Part 117, Subpart C), and relevant DoDMs/AFMANs.
• Documentation & SOPs: Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specifically for all personnel security functions supporting the USSF. Maintain meticulous, complete, and confidential personnel security files.
• Audits and Inspections: Lead and coordinate internal annual self-inspections and serve as the personnel security expert during external government compliance audits and inspections (e.g., DCSA, customer-led) across USSF sites.
• Security Training: Develop, deliver, and manage mandatory security awareness training content, including initial security indoctrinations, annual refresher training, and tailored briefings/debriefings for USSF personnel.

THE SKILLSET:

• Experience: Minimum 10 years of dedicated professional experience in Personnel Security, with a significant focus on managing SCI and SAP programs within the U.S. Defense Industrial Base or Intelligence Community.
• Clearance: Must possess and maintain an Active Top Secret (TS) / Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility security clearance. U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Regulatory Expertise: Expert-level, current knowledge of U.S. government security regulations, including ICDs, SEADs, and the NISPOM Rule (32 CFR Part 117).
• System Proficiency: Expert-level, hands-on proficiency with government security databases: DISS/NBIS, NISS, and Scattered Castles.
• Skills: Superior communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Proven ability to conduct security investigations and write detailed, professional reports.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification: Current security certification such as SPeD (Security Professional Education Development) or Industrial Security Professional (ISP).
• Formal Training: Completion of formal government SCI security training courses (e.g., Personnel Security Adjudications Course, Security Specialist Course) is highly desirable.
• Experience: Direct, embedded experience supporting a US Space Force or other Combatant Command Special Security Office (SSO).

This position requires the ability to travel to USSF and partner facilities, work in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), and involves physical requirements such as climbing stairs/ladders or working in confined spaces to complete facility inspections and assessments.

This employment offer is contingent upon continued funding of the underlying government contract. Should the contract be modified, or terminated, or if funding is reduced or eliminated, the employer reserves the right to adjust or rescind the offer accordingly.